State Administrative Tribunal (SAT) 

The State Administrative Tribunal (SAT) is an independent body that makes and reviews a range of administrative decisions. These range from reviews of multi-million dollar tax judgments and dog destruction orders to disciplinary proceedings, guardianship questions and town planning and compensation issues.

SAT receives its power to hear matters from a large number of different pieces of legislation – such as the Guardianship and Administration Act 1990, or the Planning and Development Act 2005. Before SAT was established, these were heard by many different government bodies, and SAT was established to make the legal process more efficient, flexible, and informal for parties.

SAT's approach is informal, flexible and transparent. SAT:

• aims to make the correct or preferable decision based on the merits of each application;
• is not a court and, therefore, strict rules of evidence do not apply;
• encourages the resolution of disputes through mediation;
• allows parties to be represented by a lawyer, a person with relevant experience or by themselves;
• holds hearings in public in most cases; and
• provides reasons for all decisions and publishes most decisions on its website.

SAT's objectives are set out in the State Administrative Tribunal Act 2004. 

The main objectives of SAT in dealing with matters within its jurisdiction are:

• To achieve the resolution of questions, complaints or disputes, and make or review decisions, fairly and according to the substantial merits of the case;
• To act as speedily and with as little formality and technicality as is practicable, and minimise the costs to parties; and
• To make appropriate use of the knowledge and experience of SAT members.

The following table includes adverse findings of the State Administrative Tribunal for matters relating to the Shire of Northam: